Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane could seal a sensational return to management with Sunderland preparing to enter talks with their ex-boss.
Keane, 50, was in charge of the Black Cats for over two years before standing down in December 2008, and he has not held a senior managerial role since he was sacked by Ipswich Town in January 2011.
He subsequently served as an assistant for Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, while he now occupies a role as a regular pundit on Sky Sports' Premier League coverage.